Totally Slow - Totally Slow

Those of you who thought this was a doom metal band just from the name, you are not alone. In fact, Totally Slow are anything but slow. From Charlotte, NC and signed to Self Aware/Headfirst Records, their upbeat mix of melancholic pop music is infested with surf, punk, and even metal vibes that bring a new and dynamic energy to this style of music.

I wouldn't say their music is unlike early Superchunk at times, but there is more to it than that simple feeling of pure energetic sadness. Totally Slow comes in heavy and hard with "Wasted Days,"screaming of lost opportunities and reminiscing on the past, which seems to be a central theme on the album. The phenomena of sad music making people happy never ceases to amaze me, and Totally Slow have it down. "Acid Rain" feels like a whiny pop punk song for most of it with lyrics "My love for you is like acid rain" that reminds me of those what many pop punk bands try to do but fail horribly by not knowing how to write decent lyrics. Totally Slow finds a way to say things with a certain subtlety that disguises this music as happy but also get the real message across.

Recorded at Legit Biz in Greensboro, NC by a great guy and a friend of mine, Kris Hilbert,  the sound on this album is great. "Highest Hill," particularly at the end with the repeated "Yeah," there were some very interesting and awesome things done with this recording to make it sound all the more awesome. As the album progresses, the variety of influences that Totally Slow have clearly drawn from is amazing. They switch from pop punk, to punk rock,  to rock and roll, to depressing emo-like meoldies in many songs with a rhythmic pattern and fluidity. And they don't butcher it. They are worth checking out if not for their song writing ability and pure catchiness, then for their efforts. They tried to make an interesting album that differs from the mainstream bullshit out there, and they did.

Check them out here

Top 20 Albums of 2013

Well, it's about time for those top 20 albums of the year again.

20. Deadhorse - MXII Demo
It's rare that a band gets the sound of a full orchestra with only 4 or 5 members, but Deadhorse beat the odds. This short EP packs somber emotion with hints of hope in each note, and sounds like something that should be played in 28 Days Later. Post rock has come a long way since it's emergence, and Deadhorse prove that they are keeping up.

19. American Sharks - American Sharks
These guys sound like they are cousins of The Shrine. Rock'n'roll never sounded so dirty, and you're going to want to roll around in their filth. Energy, a touch of funk, and some steady metal lead this album in a crazy direction with no signs of letting down. Head bang away, but protect your neck because these guys play the hell out of their out of their instruments. And check out that album art, come on.

18. Darkside - Psychic
Two-man post rock/electronic group Darkside released their instant hit Psychic and it all made sense. It's a wonder no one ever thought to play music this serene, but when you want to be as groovy as these guys. Angelic vocals break through their techno mixes and soulful, rhythmic guitars. Give it a few listens, it get better every time.

17. Bosnian Rainbows - Bosnian Rainbows
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez of The Mars Volta fame and lead singer Teri Gender Bender front this electrified alternative rock group. This album is interesting in a unique way. It disguises melancholic lyrics with upbeat tempos and raw energy to make for a that happy kind of sad that we all love. Music has a way with people's brains, and Bosnian Rainbows have tapped in.

16. Deafheaven- Sunbather
As if this album really needs and introduction. Sunbather smacked the world of black metal right across the face with it's dreamy ambiance and harshly tame vocals. It's an album worth praise, and we can only hope that they don't follow the trend of many descending musically with their next release.

15. Kurt Vile - Wakin' On A Pretty Daze
Calm, smooth, and psychedelic Wakin' On A Pretty Daze is another 2013 instant hit. Though this isn't Vile's first great work, it's definitely a continuance. It's an album for a chill day where you're sitting outside in the sun with nothing to do and no problems at all. When you wake up from that dream, you can instead take and hour and play this album being busy with life and at least have a good day.

14. Inter Arma - Sky Burial
The lead in the black metal category may just be taken by Richmonds' Inter Arma. Sunbather sounds like child's play compared to the intensity of Sky Burial, but  to be fair, it's different music. Inter Arma have had a few other releases, but none live up to the reputation and raw power this album represents. After over 3 tours in 2013 alone, Inter Arma mean business.

13. Diarrhea Planet - I'm Rich Beyond Your Wildest Dreams
Punk'n'roll never sounded so righteous. The name doesn't stink and it sure beats Anal Cunt and Syphilitic Vagina's in adventurous, not-too-gross band names, so don't complain. In 2011, Loose Jewels packed quite a punch, but I'm Richer Beyond Your Wildest Dreams stomped even harder. From awesome intro's to catchy-as-all-hell riffs and almost emo-style vocals, their music has more life than this blurb has made-up-connected-words-thingy's.

12. Queens of the Stone Age - ...Like Clockwork
Queens of the Stone Age are nothing new, they are practically as old as I am, which granted isn't very old. But as old as they are they didn't fail to pump out a killer album with riffs that you'll be humming the shower tomorrow. Listening to this album brings back familiar feelings from Songs for the Deaf, but it progressed nicely.  Josh Homme still fronts these bad boy Queens on vocals and guitar, but the band working together as a whole is an unstoppable force.

11. Uncle Acid and the Deadbeat - Mind Control
Get your thinking caps on, kids, or be controlled by the mind-bending riffs of Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats. The evil lyrics compare to those gory favorites such as those of Church of Misery and Cannibal Corpse. But Mind Control shelters the wickedness with sabbathian riffs and unforgettable grooves and while both albums by these guys are good, Mind Control takes the cake on totally off the wall amazing.

10. Nine Inch Nails - Hesitation Marks
Trent Reznor is getting old now, but he doesn't seem to give a shit. Hesitation Marks evokes the youthful vigor of early NIN albums, and the album rules. Even in the second song, "Copy Of A," Reznor says "It's all been done before," and he clearly just knows how to keep doing it right. And lets no go too easy Reznor for the amount on awesome teenage angst he displays in this album. Everything is not okay, and it's all for the better.

9. Russian Circles - Memorial
Another example of post rock going in the right direction has been displayed by Chicagos' Russian Circles. Memorial is beautiful and tragic, but it doesn't fail to brutally destroy anything in its wake. Chelsea Wolfe on vocals for "Memorial" really displays the versatility of the band and what they can do when they put their minds to it. Memorial is calmer than Empros but in a way it improves the overall sound. Some may not enjoy the polished sound the album inherits, and I'm a sucker for raw music, but this music just sounds better this way.

8. Pelican - Forever Becoming
Before Russian Circles, there was Pelican, and they have returned to lead the genre in forceful magnificence as Forever Becoming brings a surprise. This album echoes back to heavier albums like Australiasia but manages to continue on the path Pelican intended with What We All Come To Need. Instead, they have put their heads together with newly added member Dallas Thomas and blissful music has formed to annihilate your ear drums once more.

7. San Fermin - San Fermin

Ellis Ludwig-Leone, head composer and songwriter of San Fermin really put it best: "Its like a panic attack disguised as a birthday party." From the first note of the album, a feeling of dejection mixed with pure ambition fills the air. Few vocalists meet the lucidity of the various vocalists on this album, and it feels like this music isn't played often, or nearly as well. You may be surprised how much you actually like it after a few listens even if it's not what you might normally listen to. Even if it's not the best of the year, I cannot speak more highly of this album or these musicians. 

6. Superchunk - I Hate Music
Old bands with the same youthful energy seem to have made a comeback in 2013, and Superchunk are no exception. Rocking as hard as they did in '89 when they began, Superchunk bring spunk and cheer to music made for sad guys pretending they are happy. I can't imagine that they hate about music, but if they really do, they must have a deal with the devil because they still dominate at melodic, foot-tapping greatness.

5. Palms - Palms
If you're looking for chilled out, hazy  grooves, Palms has answered your prayers. Well known by now, 3/5's of Isis and Deftones frontman Chino Moreno summoned their musical power and birthed and album that you would only expect this combination of guys to make. Isis have been inactive for years now, and it's about time some members started back, being the talented musicians they are. Moreno tunes his vocals nicely in order to fit the style of music and it's not as abrasive as Deftones. It's a definite improvement for Moreno in my opinion, but who's asking?

4. Fuzz - Fuzz
Fuzz Fuzz Fuzz Fuzz. Fuzz, Fuzz Fuzz Fuzz Fuzz. Fuzz Fuzz Fuzz, Fuzz, Fuzz Fuzz Fuzz Fuzz. Fuzz Fuzz Fuzz. Fuzz Fuzz, Fuzz Fuzz Fuzz Fuzz Fuzz, Fuzz. Fuzz Fuzz Fuzz Fuzz. Fuzz Fuzz, Fuzz Fuzz. Fuzz Fuzz Fuzz Fuzz, Fuzz Fuzz, Fuzz Fuzz, Fuzz.

3. Mikal Cronin - MCII
Compare this to The Beatles if you'd like, but Mikal Cronin has originality that few can beat. His guitar pop ascends to new levels of haunting riffs and relaxed vocals with an atmosphere of comprehensible sadness. It must be nice up in the clouds, because Cronin is on a roll. His self titled has memorable tracks, but MCII brings unadulterated sentiment in each song for non-stop enjoyment. A truly great songwriter, it will be exciting to see what Cronin comes up with next.

2. King Khan and the Shrines - Idle No More
After the death of a few friends and a hiatus, King Khan has summoned his Shrines and the strength to deliver unbelievably deep tunes in the midst of hard times. Idle No More has more meaning to Khan than meets the eye. Each song, including 3 about the special deceased people in his life, represent a rising to power. The music is wholesome, fresh and unrelentingly fun.King Khan is an appropriate name as he steps to the throne to help rule the world of garage/psych/pop once more.

1. Jacuzzi Boys - Jacuzzi Boys
Relax guys, you don't have to read any more, this is number one. Glazin along with the help of Iggy Pop and a music video of few singing vaginas made a name for Jacuzzi Boys. Their self titled only furthers the bright future of simple music that keeps the awareness of even the most attention deficit and smooth rhythms really lead this album to number one. It isn't just that they can play minimalistic sounding music, it's that you just don't see the intricacies face on.